Luteal Phase Defect

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Diagnosing Luteal Phase Defect continued...

The biopsy is usually done a day or two before you think you will get your period. A pregnancy test should be done before an endometrial biopsy is done. You should not have an endometrial biopsy if you are pregnant.

An endometrial biopsy can help your doctor determine if you are "in phase" or not. A definitive diagnosis is based on two or more "out of phase" biopsy results.

However, every woman can have luteal phase changes from time to time. The National Institutes of Health says that an endometrial biopsy cannot tell the difference between fertile and infertile women, therefore it does not recommend the biopsy as a routine infertility test.

Progesterone injections, pills, or suppositories may be used after ovulation to help the lining grow.

Talk to your doctor about all your treatment options. Not all treatments will work. And studies have not proven that treatment for luteal phase defect improves the chances of successful pregnancy in women who do not use assisted reproduction techniques.

Progesterone can help some women who receive fertility treatments. However, there is no proof that taking progesterone after you become pregnant will prevent miscarriage.